Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-05-20
A Dreadful Machine,

Lyddy Jane. Miss Fothergills help,
strained her neck at the pantry window
for a better view of the barn-yard from
which came sounds of unusual con-
fusion.
Carlo was flying round and round
in style most unlike his everyday
iigniiied manner, puss, with long
drawn miaou-ouw and wonderfully
expanded tail. was making straight
track for the top of the tallest tree, the
old COW was in the act of taking n
clumsy leap over low wood pile
hens, roosters, ducks and geese were
doing their best to add TO the excite
ment.
What in the lands goin' on?'
cried Lyddy Jane, throwing open the
kitchen door
"Oh-oh-isn't it-just-too-" the
boy who turned his face at her inquiry
was too far gone with laughtuer to be
able to answer.
Bless my heart! If it amt fit to
drive body crazy! Master Hugh,
hare YOU been asett n of any OF your
gunpowdcr and things under them
poor tormented creeturs?
Not bit of it Lyddy Jane. Did
you see the old COW dance? Oh-oh,'
Hugh went of in another peal. Now
don t make believe you're not laughing,
FOR you cant hide it. Poor Towser.
Come here, old fellow. Didn't hurt a
bit did it? Only surprise you little.
Why, Lyddy Jane, I've just been in
vigoratng the animals II little. y
"Invigoratin' emp"
Yes, | took smell of Aunt Mar
garite's hartshorn last night, and it
made me Jump up about foot, bat she
said it was very invigoratlnag. 50 !
though
III ever there was a mschievOuS
young good-for-nought its YOU, Master
Hugh, said l. ddy Jane, shaking her
head almost solemnly enough TO con
ceal a laugh. What are you going to
be up 10 neXt?'
We'll. said Hugh. looking thought.
ful. Il hadn't got TO that yet. I've got
to wait TIL Moses comes down from
the tree, so / can make up with him.
be 10 take your p cture. Yes; you Il
make a fine picture, Lddy Jane, and
I'll make You splendid one-gOod
enough for your beau.
"Go long with your lmpercnce. And
do give them creatures a little peace.
That just what | III wanting my
self, Lyddy Jane; only | want a good
big p zee, and raspberry jam on it.
please. I'll be right in after it."
Neither Lyddy Jane nor her mistress
could ever quite decide whether Hugh
short holiday visits were to be looked
upon a a terror or delight. The sight
Of his bright face was continual feast
to their old eyes, and his pranks, SO
purely the overflow of boys spirit of
fun and frolic, and so free from any
thing in the way of malice or evil intent,
were told over and over and laughed at
with a keen relish which lasted from
one visit TO another. But mistress and
maid felt them TO be nervous occasions,
and were conscious of curious mixture
of rel eff and regret when he took his
departure.
Yes. I'll rig up my camera and take
a few pictures, said Hugh to mself.
after Moses had been duly petted and
apologized to. In two days he had Ia.
ken. or attempted to take. a likeness of
almost every living thing on the place,
with varying success. In Aunt Marga-
ret's case it was flattering, Qhe success.
if not the picture) she being gifted with
patience which bore overwhelmingly
H., e.
fore the artist felt satisfied. But Lyd-
DIV Jane had conceievd great horror
of the machine" as she slightngly
called il. never being able to rid her
self of the fear that it was liable to 90
of at any moment, which fear resulted
in staring ewes and set lips. For she
knew that chemicals were used in con-
meet on with il, and that chemicals were
dangerous things. Hugh coaxed and
reasoned.
Now. Lyddv Jane, It's all nonsense.
and L III surprised-yes amazed-that a
woman OF your age should have so
little sense Now look just as you do
when you're dressed for church-good-
ness, not SOL That's exactly your ex-
preston when YOU thought the smoke
house was on fire and the cistern dry.
Come. now, look just as YOU do when
bring YOU whole hatful of fresh eggs.
When | left home | promised mother
I'd bring her likeness of everything
on the dear old place. and I've got
everyth ng but you. Moses makes
fine picture. He sat just Ike judge.
You see. mother likes every thing that
rem nds her of times when she was
young here. :"
II hope, Master Hugh. you don't
take that cat to be one that was here
when your mother was little girl?'
mo; but Aunt Margaret told me
she's a direct descendant from one that
was and looks exactly like her. But
you were here then. and | want to
show mother how much handsomer you
arc now than Won were then